Dodgers Score Early Then Hold Off Late Rally

OKC Dodgers – 8

Round Rock – 6

Tuesday, June 22, 2021 – Dell Diamond – Round Rock, Texas

Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Dodgers scored eight runs over the first three innings, then held off a late rally by the Round Rock Express to hang on for an 8-6 win in the series finale between the teams Tuesday night at Dell Diamond. The Dodgers (21-21) carried a six-run lead into the bottom of the ninth inning when the Express (24-18) scored four runs on five hits, including scoring three runs before an out was made. The Express later put the tying runs on base with two outs before Kevin Quackenbush secured the game’s final out for his seventh save of the season — tied for most in Triple-A West. The Dodgers had jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning as the first four hitters of the game reached base, including back-to-back RBI singles by Sheldon Neuse and Yoshi Tsutsugo. Later with two outs and the bases loaded, Tim Federowicz lined a two-run single into right field for a 4-0 OKC lead. Luke Raley hit a solo homer in the second inning and Matt Davidson led off the third inning with a solo homer. Later after a one-out double by Carlos Asuaje, Federowicz hit a two-run homer to left-center field to extend the Dodgers to an 8-0 lead as OKC scored in each of the first three innings. A two-run triple by David Dahl, on a Major League Rehab Assignment from the Texas Rangers, put Round Rock on the board in the bottom of the third inning to cut the score to 8-2. Both teams escaped bases-loaded jams later in the game as the offenses were then held scoreless until the Express’ four-run bottom of the ninth inning.

Of Note:

-The Dodgers won five of six games in the Red Dirt Rumble series at Round Rock to pick up their third series win of the season overall and second series win on the road. Tuesday’s win also marked the first time this season OKC won five of six games in a series. The Dodgers improved to 4-3 in series finales with the win, including 2-2 on the road.

-Catcher Tim Federowicz entered the game with four RBI through his first 16 games this season, then collected four RBI over the first three innings of Tuesday’s game. The RBI total was Federowicz’s highest since a four-RBI game May 7, 2017 while with Triple-A Sacramento against Reno. Federowicz reached base four times Tuesday night, going a team-best 3-for-4 with a walk, homer, four RBI and one run scored.

-After starting the season with a 4-13 record, the OKC Dodgers are now 21-21 and have climbed back to .500 for the second time in three days. The Dodgers have compiled a 17-8 record over the last 25 games, including a 12-7 record in June.

-OKC hit three homers in the game for their fourth multi-homer game of the series as the Dodgers hit 12 homers over the six games in Round Rock. The Dodgers have now homered at least once in each of the last nine games and have 17 homers over the stretch, as well as at least one homer in 14 of the last 15 games (25 HR).

-Sheldon Neuse went 2-for-5 with a RBI and scored a run and has now hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, going 17-for-40 (.425) with eight RBI and five multi-hit games.

-Four Dodgers finished with multi-hit nights as OKC compiled 13 hits for their highest hit total of the series and highest total since a 14-hit outing June 15 against El Paso at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark…On the other hand, the 12 hits allowed by OKC Tuesday was the highest hit total allowed over the last seven games.

-Dodgers’ starting pitcher Austin Bibens-Dirkx (5-1) earned his fifth win of the season — tied for most in Triple-A West. He held the Express to two runs on five hits over 5.0 innings of work and issued one walk while recording five strikeouts. He escaped a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning with back-to-back strikeouts.

-Tuesday’s game clocked in at 3 hours, 44 minutes — tied for the fourth-longest game of the season for the OKC Dodgers, who have had 23 games this season last at least 3 hours, 20 minutes.

-In the sixth game of his Major League Rehab Assignment, Yoshi Tsutsugo went 1-for-4 with a RBI, walk and run scored. Overall with OKC, he is 3-for-22 with two homers, four RBI, five walks and three runs scored.

-Pitcher Dennis Santana made his debut in the Texas Rangers organization for the Round Rock Express against his former team after being traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday. Santana, who was designated for assignment by the Dodgers June 12, struck out the side and issued a walk in a scoreless seventh inning against OKC. He pitched a combined 5.1 innings in three appearances with the OKC Dodgers this season, posting a 10.13 ERA with four walks and six strikeouts. He had also appeared in 16 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season after originally signing with the Dodgers as an international free agent in March 2013 and spending parts of three seasons with OKC.

What’s Next: Following a league-wide day off Wednesday, the OKC Dodgers continue their road trip and open a six-game series against the Sugar Land Skeeters at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Constellation Field. Live radio coverage of each OKC Dodgers game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps. All OKC Dodgers games are also available streamed live on MiLB.TV with a subscription.